Le Grand Jardin, a secluded and serene sanctuary in Cannes.
Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Hotel of the Week: Louis XIV’s Island Residence in the French Riviera Becomes a Garden Oasis
A quick yacht ride from La Croisette, the recently renovated Le Grand Jardin Cannes by Ultima Collection has transformed Sainte-Marguerite into a private island paradise—and one of the South of France’s best-kept secrets
Le Grand Jardin is the sole private property on Sainte Marguerite Island. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Centuries-old stories swirl around the tiny, two-mile-long island of Sainte-Marguerite, a short boat ride from Cannes’s flashy La Croisette. Nicknamed the “Forest on the Water,” the oasis is punctuated with trails shaded by pine. Eucalyptus spill out to deserted coves with clear-as-glass water that’s more turquoise than anywhere else along the nearby Riviera—and a lot less crowded. In summer, locals anchor between Sainte-Marguerite and its sister island, Saint-Honorat, snorkeling the coast and diving to the six underwater sculptures that pay homage to one of Sainte-Marguerite’s former famous residents, the Man in the Iron Mask, whose cell still sits in the Fort Royal, hovering above buzzy beach club La Guérite.
Rumored to be royalty, the prisoner transformed Sainte-Marguerite into an international attraction, but one part of the island that hasn’t received attention until recently is the 12-bedroom Le Grand Jardin Cannes by Ultima Collection, a converted, 13th-century walled estate—the only private residence on Sainte-Marguerite—whose past owners include the Sun King, Louis XIV, and Dukes of Guise.
Exterior of Le Grand Jardin. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
According to legend, Napoleon’s horses even grazed in the gardens here while troops prepared cannonballs on the island. A raised pool is perched over 3.5 acres of botanical gardens that stand where the originals once grew, now planted with geraniums, orchids, and olive and lemon trees spilling down to the sea. Herbs and other ingredients are hand-harvested by the property’s private chefs before meals.
When Ultima Collection—whose boutique portfolio of ultra-luxury private chalets, villas, residences, and hotels are located in spots like Gstaad and the shores of Lake Geneva—acquired the estate, they decided to start from scratch. “The property had undergone many changes over the past 50 years, resulting in a confusing mix of styles that lacked cohesion,” CEO Petar Krstic tells Galerie. “Our goal was to create a space that respected the past without leaning too heavily on contemporary design.”
The pool deck. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Braided vines draped over archways form a path to the 16th-century, turreted Old Fortress Tower, now converted into a Rapunzel-like suite with a balcony overlooking Saint-Honorat, plus a private casino, if guests prefer to host their own poker tournament.
“Given its history, we decided to transform one of the [fortress] spaces into a hidden, dungeon-inspired bedroom but with all the modernity and comfort of Ultima Collection,” says Krstic, adding that the group prioritizes working with local painters and artisans, and selects luxury fabrics from France or Italy, such as Dedar and Loro Piana. “Once you’re in your tower, you feel as though the island belongs to you.”
An ancient fortress on property. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
The other rooms are scattered across seven buildings on the estate, including the Governor’s House, three cottages, pool suites, and the guest house, which acts as the main entertaining space. Swathed in sustainable rock flooring, slate- and pearl-colored marble, and sleek teak wood, the design embraces the South of France’s refined, coastal chic aesthetic in a way that still allows the natural surroundings to shine.
“You can’t imagine how organized you need to be when working on an isolated island,” explains Krstic, adding that everything was made-to-measure and assembled onsite. “Since we preserved the original structure, we had to navigate all the challenges that came with it.”
Living space. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
The cabana-clad pool deck can host morning yoga or Pilates, as well as catered sundowners and dinners under the stars, or you can throw a soiree in the gardens by the water lily-filled koi pond. The historic walls open to a beach perfect for picnicking, and on the rare occasion when the weather isn’t cooperating, the full-service spa is equipped with a sauna and hammam, as well as a hair salon and treatments partnering with haute skincare lines by Augustinus Bader and Seed to Skin Tuscany.
“Once you’re in your tower, you feel as though the island belongs to you”
Petar Krstic
The Tower Suite at Le Grand Jardin. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Touches of gold in the Tower Suite. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
In a region sporting some of the priciest real estate, where private villas designed by some of the world’s best architects is the norm, Le Grand Jardin Cannes by Ultima Collection offers something others don’t—a private sanctuary steeped in royal history on one of the Riviera’s few islands.
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Le Grand Jardin. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Poolside dining. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
The Hammam in Le Grand Jardin's spa. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Gardens at Le Grand Jardin. Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
Cover: Le Grand Jardin, a secluded and serene sanctuary in Cannes.
Photo: Courtesy of Le Grand Jardin
